A/N: Okay, I'm sick of stories where Harry is forced to spend time with Snape, and they come to an understanding, Snape stops calling Harry 'Potter' and then they become two peas in a pod and everything's just hunky-dory. My aim is to create a story that is more realistic. Yes, I'd like them to come to a grudging understanding, but mark my words, they will NEVER like each other. Respect? Yes. Like? Definately not.

That being said, the first few chapters will be fairly short, until I get to the 'good stuff', what with Snape's snarky comments and such.

And finally, I do not own. If I did own, Snape wouldn't die. But he does. Therefore, I do not own, and I have to resort to writing fan fiction.

Chapter 1 - Forgotten

Harry stood on the train platform, looking around, very much confused. After leaving platform 9 ¾, Ron's and Hermione's parents were right there to meet them. The Dursleys, however, were not. Harry hadn't expected that they would be on time, but nearly an hour had passed, and his aunt and uncle had still not shown up. Mrs. Weasley had been kind enough to stay with Harry for a while, but after thirty minutes had passed, and the Dursleys has still not shown up, Mrs. Weasley had been forced to leave Harry at the station by himself. Harry didn't blame her. She had her own family to tend to.

Before leaving, Mrs. Weasley had clapped her hand on Harry's shoulder and whispered, "If they don't show up soon, send your owl to Dumbledore. He'll know what to do." And then she had left, with five children in tow. Ron shot Harry a pitying look as he passed.

"Good luck, mate." He had whispered in Harry's ear. Harry just watched the Weasleys leave, looking pleadingly after them as they disappeared into the crowd. After he lost sight of the Weasleys, Harry scanned the platform once more. Still no sign of the Dursleys. Resigned, Harry rummaged around in his trunk and dug out a quill and a scrap of parchment. Dragging his trunk to a corner where he would be less likely to be seen, Harry perched upon it, and began to write.

Dear Professor Dumbledore,

Harry paused, quill poised above the parchment, wondering what to write. After pondering for a while, Harry settled on:

Dear Professor Dumbledore,

The Dursleys haven't come to pick me up from Kings Cross yet. I don't know what to do.

-Harry

Harry thought the note sounded stupid, however it best summed up the situation, so it would have to do. Casting a furtive glance up and down the platform to make sure there weren't any muggles watching, Harry hastily let Hedwig out of her cage and handed her the note.

"Take this to Dumbledore." He said, hoping Hedwig would be able to find him. Harry slumped back on his trunk. There was nothing to do now but wait. He had no idea when Hedwig would find Dumbledore. What would Dumbledore's response to his note be? Would he be angry at the Dursleys for not coming to pick up their nephew? Or would he be cross with Harry for inciting the Dursleys by escaping last summer in a flying Ford Anglia, destroying the bedroom wall in the process.

Hours passed. The sun had begun to go down. After being approached twice by muggles asking why he had been sitting there so long, Harry dragged his trunk and empty cage into a public loo, and locked the door. Settling himself down in the corner, Harry resigned himself to a long and lonely night.

Okay, so that was chapter 1. I hope you enjoyed it. Now why don't you push that little button right there and leave me a review? Reviews are like cake to me; I can't live without them. ;)